Finnish media outlet engages public in mother-naming inquiry until November 24, 2024

This autumn, a Finnish media outlet has engaged the public in a unique inquiry regarding how individuals refer to their mothers. Thousands have already participated, but contributions are still welcomed until the end of the day on November 24, 2024. The purpose of this study is not only to gather personal responses but also to create valuable data for Finnish language researchers.

Participants are asked two straightforward questions. The first question focuses on what term they use when trying to get their mother’s attention, with options including various informal and formal names, as well as more personalized nicknames. The second question inquires about the language used when discussing their mothers in social circles.

To provide a comprehensive understanding of the responses, participants are also encouraged to share their age, postal code, and gender. This demographic information will help map out the data geographically across Finland.

Interestingly, the term for mother in Finnish, derived from earlier forms, has been in use for around 2,000 years, previously existing as “emä.” In a related effort, individuals from a university in Lappeenranta were surveyed about their personal terms for “mother,” revealing diverse nomenclature based on various social contexts.

Professor Hanna Lappalainen from the University of Eastern Finland highlights the significance of the study. It aims to determine if naming varies with age and whether terms differ based on direct address versus indirect mention. Findings from this research will be shared after Christmas 2024, contributing to an understanding of contemporary spoken Finnish.